The
restaurant, in the heart of Damascus's Old Town, is on a marble paved
avenue named Straight Street, which was built by the Romans and
mentioned in the Bible.

When asked about Syria during a question-and-answer session
afterwards, he voiced optimism about the direction relations were
taking.

"I have been a believer for some period of time that we
could make progress in that relationship," he said. "And I'm going to
continue to work for it and push it."

In the same year [2009], when he once again wanted to go to Syria, his visit was blocked by the Obama administration.

"President Assad has been very generous with me in terms of the
discussions we have had," he said after his March speech.

"And when I
last went to – the last several trips to Syria – I asked President Assad
to do certain things to build the relationship with the United States
and sort of show the good faith that would help us to move the process
forward."

"So my judgment is that Syria will move; Syria will
change, as it embraces a legitimate relationship with the United States
and the West and economic opportunity that comes with it and the
participation that comes with it."